Between Ctrl and Alt, modern keyboards have an abominable key: the 'Windows' key :P

By default, when this key is pressed alone it opens the Start menu. Many applications and a great number of games work in fullscreen mode, and if you press this key accidentally, most of times because you wanted to press the Ctrl or Alt keys, the application usually freezes for a while and minimizes itself. If you are lucky, your videogame will pause, but sometimes it continues even when it is minimized.

Is it possible to disable the 'Windows' key?

It would be possible to show the Start menu with another combination of keys? I would like to keep combinations that use the Windows key working, like Windows+L, which leaves current session.

However, this will disable the key entirely, as in no WinKey shortcuts. However, what I do is that I disable only the left Windows key, and use the right one to enter shortcuts. It's a sacrifice, but it means that I don't minimize anything fullscreen by accident.

I have a laptop purchased in Canada that has many keys that irritate me (necessary for Francophones, etc.) and I use KeyTweak (got my copy from Softonics), which I learned about from How-to-Geek, and changed the assignment of keys at will to suit myself. Fun, free, and possibly a terrible practical joke issue.

If I apply this solution, will shortcut combinations (like Windows+L) still work?
–
AuronDec 18 '12 at 17:58

1

@Auron: The regular shortcuts like Win+E, Win+D, Win+R will no longer function. However, Win+L is special because it is captured on a much lower level than the others. I was unable to confirm this right now, but it's possible that Win+L will still function after applying this change.
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Oliver Salzburg♦Dec 18 '12 at 18:12

best way is to pull the key out of the keyboard. you will never need it so why to stay and complicate with software and registry editors, just pull the key out nothing bad will happen you can pull it back anytime but you wont for sure. is useless. bye